Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 107 / Friday, June 3, 2011 / Proposed Rules 32103 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–0562; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–CE–015–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Cessna 

Aircraft Company 310, 320, 340, 401, 

402, 411, 414, and 421 Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This proposed 

AD would require you to install a 

placard that prohibits flight into known 

icing conditions and install a placard 

that increases published speed on 

approach 17 mph (15 knots) in case of 

an inadvertent encounter with icing. 

This proposed AD was prompted by an 

investigation of recent and historical 

icing-related accidents and incidents for 

the products listed above. We are 

proposing this AD to prohibit flight into 

known icing conditions as well as 

increase the approach speed in case of 

an inadvertent encounter with icing. 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

result in unusual flight characteristics 

that could lead to loss of control after 

flight into known icing conditions or an 

inadvertent encounter with icing 

conditions. Based on the data, an 

example of the unusual flight 

characteristics seen in many of the 

accidents is high sink speeds that 

resulted in a hard landing. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by July 18, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 

5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact Cessna 

Aircraft Company, Product Support, 

P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 67277; 

telephone: (316) 517–6000; fax: (316) 

517–8500; Internet: http:// 

www.cessna.com. You may review 

copies of the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Small Airplane 

Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 

MO 64106. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, 

call (816) 329–4148. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the 

Docket Management Facility between 

9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 

docket contains this proposed AD, the 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for the Docket Office 

(phone: 800–647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Jason Brys, Flight Test Engineer, FAA, 

Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 

1801 S. Airport Road, Room 100, 

Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 

946–4100; fax: (316) 946–4107. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposal. Send your comments to 

an address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2011–0562; Directorate Identifier 2011– 

CE–015–AD’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this 

proposed AD because of those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http:// 

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. We 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

We are proposing this AD as a result 

of an investigation of 51 recent and 

historical icing-related accidents and 

incidents over the last 30 years that 

resulted in 36 fatalities for aircraft listed 

in Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) 

Service Bulletin MEB97–4. The nonfatal events usually resulted in injuries 

and substantial aircraft damage. The 

National Transportation Safety Board 

dockets showed for two non-fatal 

landing events airplane stall with no 

activation of the stall warning system. 

Our investigation concluded that 

these aircraft, even if equipped with 

pneumatic deicing boots, are not 

approved for flight into known icing 

and will accrete critical amounts of ice 

on the protected and unprotected areas. 

Additionally, data suggest potentially 

large increases in stall speeds with no 

stall warning. 

The differences in the icing protection 

systems for the aircraft identified in this 

proposed AD differ greatly from later 

models that were approved for icing 

conditions. Some of these differences 

could include electric windshield 

(instead of alcohol), de-ice propeller 

(some might have had boots without the 

de-ice propeller), de-ice boots on entire 

span of wing as well as a different style 

de-ice boots, different pitot probe and 

static ports, and some models also 

added a de-ice boot to the vertical tail. 

These airplanes’ certification basis 

did not include Amendment 7 of CAR 

3 Dated May 15, 1956, which required 

an applicant to provide to the pilot the 

types of operations and meteorological 

conditions (e.g. icing conditions) to 

which the operation of the airplane is 

limited by the equipment installed (CAR 

3 § 3.772). Therefore, the pilot may not 

realize that, even with de-ice boots or 

other similar equipment installed, the 

airplane is not certificated for flight into 

known icing conditions. To address this 

condition and based on the accident 

history, there is a need to add a 

limitation to prohibit flight into known 

icing conditions due to the limitations 

of the installed equipment. 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

result in unusual flight characteristics 

that could lead to loss of control after 

flight into known icing conditions or an 

inadvertent encounter with icing 

conditions. Based on the data, an 

example of the unusual flight 

characteristics seen in many of the 

accidents is high sink speeds that 

resulted in a hard landing. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed Cessna Service Bulletin 

MEB97–4, dated March 24, 1997. The 

service information describes 

procedures for providing a placard to 

inform the pilot that flight in known 

icing conditions is prohibited with the 

aircraft identified in the service 

information. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are proposing this AD because we 

evaluated all the relevant information 

and determined the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop in other products of these same 

type designs. 


wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with PROPOSALS_PART 1
32104 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 107 / Friday, June 3, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require you 

to install a placard that prohibits flight 

into known icing conditions and install 

a placard that increases published speed 

on approach 17 mph (15 knots) in case 

of an inadvertent encounter with icing. 

Differences Between the Proposed AD 

and the Service Information 

The service information provides 

instructions on obtaining a placard from 

Cessna that prohibits flight into known 

icing conditions and that the airplane 

owner or a service facility may install 

the placard. This proposed AD requires 

fabrication and installation of an 

additional placard that increases the 

published speed on approach 17 mph 

(15 knots). This proposed AD also 

requires that a properly certificated 

aircraft mechanic must fabricate the 

additional placard and install both of 

these placards. The airplane owner or 

pilot is not allowed to fabricate and 

install the placards unless they are also 

a properly certificated aircraft 

mechanic. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 6,883 airplanes of U.S registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Fabricate and install placards ................... 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ........... $1 $86 $591,938 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

Title 49 of the United States Code 

specifies the FAA’s authority to issue 

rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, 

section 106, describes the authority of 

the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: 

Aviation Programs, describes in more 

detail the scope of the Agency’s 

authority. 

We are issuing this rulemaking under 

the authority described in subtitle VII, 

part A, subpart III, section 44701: 

‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that 

section, Congress charges the FAA with 

promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in 

air commerce by prescribing regulations 

for practices, methods, and procedures 

the Administrator finds necessary for 

safety in air commerce. This regulation 

is within the scope of that authority 

because it addresses an unsafe condition 

that is likely to exist or develop on 

products identified in this rulemaking 

action. 

Regulatory Findings 

We determined that this proposed AD 

would not have federalism implications 

under Executive Order 13132. This 

proposed AD would not have a 

substantial direct effect on the States, on 

the relationship between the national 

Government and the States, or on the 

distribution of power and 

responsibilities among the various 

levels of government. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify this proposed regulation: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the 

DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 

(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), 

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, and 

(4) Will not have a significant 

economic impact, positive or negative, 

on a substantial number of small entities 

under the criteria of the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

The Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 

39 as follows: 

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS 

DIRECTIVES 

1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2011–0562; Directorate Identifier 2011– 

CE–015–AD. 

Comments Due Date 

(a) We must receive comments by 

July 18, 2011. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to Cessna Aircraft 

Company 310, 320, 340, 401, 402, 411, 414, 

and 421 airplanes identified in Cessna 

Aircraft Company Service Bulletin MEB97–4, 

dated March 24, 1997, certificated in any 

category. 

Subject 

(d) Joint Aircraft System Component 

(JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code: 11, Placards and Markings. 

Unsafe Condition 

(e) This AD was prompted by an 

investigation of recent and historical icingrelated accidents and incidents for the 

products listed above. We are issuing this AD 

to prohibit flight into known icing conditions 

as well as increase the approach speed in 

case of an inadvertent encounter with icing. 

This condition, if not corrected, could result 

in unusual flight characteristics that could 

lead to loss of control after flight into known 

icing conditions or an inadvertent encounter 

with icing conditions. Based on the data, an 

example of the unusual flight characteristics 

seen in many of the accidents is high sink 

speeds that resulted in a hard landing. 

Compliance 

(f) Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 


wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with PROPOSALS_PART 1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 107 / Friday, June 3, 2011 / Proposed Rules 32105 

TABLE 1—ACTIONS, COMPLIANCE, AND PROCEDURES

Actions Compliance Procedures 

(1) For all airplanes: Install placard Cessna part 

number (P/N) DP0500–13 or fabricate and install a placard that states: ‘‘This aircraft is 

prohibited from flight into known icing conditions.’’ 

Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 

the effective date of this AD or within 3 calendar months after the effective date of this 

AD, whichever occurs first. 

(i) If installing the placard Cessna P/N 

DP0500–13, obtain the placard following 

Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin 

MEB97–4, dated March 24, 1997. 

(ii) If fabricating the placard, fabricate the 

placard using 1⁄8-inch black lettering on a 

white background. 

(iii) The placards must be installed by a properly certificated aircraft mechanic on the instrument panel in clear view of the pilot. 

(2) For all airplanes: 

(A) If Airspeed Indicator Reads in MPH. 

Fabricate and install a placard that 

states: ‘‘For inadvertent encounters with 

icing conditions, increase published 

speed on approach 17 mph.’’ 

(B) If Airspeed Indicator Reads in Knots. 

Fabricate and install a placard that 

states: ‘‘For inadvertent encounters with 

icing conditions, increase published 

speed on approach 15 KIAS.’’ 

Within 100 hours TIS after the effective date 

of this AD or within 3 calendar months after 

the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. 

(i) Fabricate the placard using black lettering 

at least 1⁄8-inch on a white background. 

(ii) The placards must be installed by a properly certificated aircraft mechanic on the instrument panel as close as practical to the 

airspeed indicator in clear view of the pilot. 

(3) For all airplanes: After both placards required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2)(A) or 

(f)(2)(B) of this AD are installed, make an 

entry into the aircraft logbook to record compliance with this AD. 

Within 100 hours TIS after the effective date 

of this AD or within 3 calendar months after 

the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. 

Not Applicable. 

Special Flight Permit 

(g) Special flight permits are permitted 

with the following limitation: Flight into 

known icing is prohibited. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(h)(1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft 

Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the 

authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 

requested using the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 

send your request to your principal inspector 

or local Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 

attention of the person identified in the 

Related Information section of this AD. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

Related Information 

(i) For more information about this AD, 

contact Jason Brys, Flight Test Engineer, 

Wichita ACO, 1801 S. Airport Road, Room 

100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 

946–4100; fax: (316) 946–4107. 

(j) For service information identified in this 

AD, contact Cessna Aircraft Company, 

Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 

67277; telephone: (316) 517–6000; fax: (316) 

517–8500; Internet: http://www.cessna.com. 

You may review copies of the referenced 

service information at the FAA, Small 

Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas 

City, MO 64106. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

(816) 329–4148. 

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 

27, 2011. 

Earl Lawrence, 

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–13766 Filed 6–2–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 139 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–0247; Notice No. 11– 

01] 

RIN 2120–AJ70 

Safety Enhancements Part 139, 

Certification of Airports; Reopening of 

Comment Period 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM); Reopening of comment period. 

SUMMARY: The FAA published a 

proposed rule on February 1, 2011, to 

establish minimum standards for 

training of personnel who access the 

airport non-movement area (ramp and 

apron) to help prevent accidents and 

incidents in that area. This proposal 

would require a certificate holder to 

conduct pavement surface evaluations 

to ensure reliability of runway surfaces 

in wet weather conditions. This 

proposed action would also require a 

Surface Movement Guidance Control 

System (SMGCS) plan if the certificate 

holder conducts low visibility 

operations, facilitating the safe 

movement of aircraft and vehicles in 

low visibility conditions. Finally, this 

proposal would clarify the applicability 

of part 139 and explicitly prohibit 

fraudulent or intentionally false 

statements in a certificate application or 

record required to be maintained. After 

the comment period closed, the FAA 

became aware that the initial regulatory 

evaluation had not been posted to the 

rulemaking docket. This action reopens 

the comment period to allow the public 

to review and comment on that 

document, which is now in the docket. 

DATES: The comment period for the 

NPRM published on February 1, 2011 

(76 FR 5510), closed on April 4, 2011, 

and was reopened (76 FR 20570) April 

13, 2011, until May 13, 2011. This 

document reopens the comment period 

until July 5, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 

identified by Docket Number FAA– 

2010–0247 using any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov and follow 

the online instructions for sending your 

comments electronically. 

• Mail: Send comments to Docket 

Operations, M–30; U.S. Department of 

Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Room W12–140, West 


wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with PROPOSALS_PART 1